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April 26, 2006
2001 Silkwood, Selected Reserve Syrah–REVIEWED
Silkwood was founded in 1979 by John R. Monnich, a UC Davis General Agriculture graduate, and was originally located in Napa Valley. The first wines were produced at the old Spring Mountain facility in North St. Helena and were sales-propelled by a stellar barrel-fermented Chardonnay that won immediate critical acclaim.
Only 2500 cases of the original 1979 vintage were produced but some managed to catch the attention of a wine consultant who scouted wines for the Reagan White House. Once availability was secured, Silkwood wines graced the tables of a number of White House dinners and functions and were featured at three summit meetings held in France, Canada and Mexico.
“100% Selected Reserve Syrah, Stanislaus County--Elegant and smooth wine. Fourteen months longer than 2000 Syrah on new oak wood. Wine judges and writers frequently refer to this wine as a "classic" Syrah.”
Review:
2001 Silkwood, Selected Reserve Syrah: #28.00, (86 points)–APPEARANCE: Bright, clean medium deep purple ruby; NOSE: Clean, pronounce, fruit, floral, spice and oak–red cherry, blueberry, pepper, rhubarb, sage, toasted oaks and hints of leather; PALATE: dry, medium crisp acidity and balanced tannins, full with pronounce flavors of berry fruit and spice; CONCLUSION: A well made Syrah with lots of berry, spice and oak on a moderately long finish.
ADDITIONAL TASTING NOTES: Berry, rhubarb, spice, fresh, herbal, wrapped in sweet toasted oak-- integrated yet youthful.
More About the Wine:
Blend: 100% 2001 Syrah
R.S.: Dry to 0.5%
Alcohol: 14.1%
Time in Wood: 30 months
Type of Wood: French toasted oak, Hungarian toasted oak, American oak, 2nd year
Vineyard Source: Their own vineyards in Modesto, Stanislaus area.
Winemaking techniques:
Cold soaking and traditional yeast. Two punch downs each day for two plus weeks.
Production: 250, 12 x 1 btl. cases
Bottling date: July 2004
Release date: September 2004
Viticultural Practices:
From 10 acres of clone 7 Syrah from Silkwood Vineyards on the Tuolomne River. Totally 6.4 tons/acre with cluster removal, side hedging, top pruning and leaf removal. All grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted to remove clusters with raisins, mold, pinkos, and greenies. Care is directed to full development from green to brown seeds for mature fruit and firm smooth tannins. Hangtime is lengthily which produces mature balanced fruit.
Fining: None
Filtering: Rough only
Total Acidity: .63
pH: 3.47
Aging Potential: 15 years
Winemakers: Jim Yerkes and John Monnich
Vineyard Manager: Kirk Jensen
Winery Owners: John R. Monnich and Rodney Beard
Contract:
Silkwood Wines LLC
1420 F Street, Suite 100 - Modesto, CA 95354
(800) 550 - WINE 209 525 - WINE (9463) | Fax: (209) 575 - 0366
info@silkwoodwines.com
Website: SILKWOOD
Posted by fortna at April 26, 2006 11:32 AM
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